Gene Expression Overview

Salwa Hassan Teama

Contents

Gene Expression
The Gene Structure
Transcription
Genetic Code and Protein Synthesis
Regulation of Gene Expression
Prokaryotes Vs Eukaryotes
Gene Expression Analysis
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Target audience

Physician assistant;
Postgraduate in clinical specialties;
Medical students;
Medical technologist;
Beginners; and
For every laboratory worker and everyone passion for
learning
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Gene Expression

The process by which a gene's information is converted

into the structures and functions of a cell by a process
of producing a biologically functional molecule of
either protein or RNA (gene product) is made.

Gene expression is assumed to be controlled at various

points in the sequence leading to protein synthesis.

Gene Structure

Eukaryotic gene structure:

Most eukaryotic genes in

contrast to typical bacterial genes, the coding
sequences (exons) are interrupted by noncoding DNA
(introns). The gene must have (Exon; start signals; stop
signals; regulatory control elements).

The average gene 7-10 exons spread over 10-16kb of

DNA.

Protein Synthesis: Four stages

Transcription
RNA processing
Translation
Post-translation processing

Gene Expression
Transcription
Synthesis of an RNA that is complementary to one of
the strands of DNA.
Translation
Ribosomes read a messenger RNA and make protein
according to its instruction.

Protein Synthesis

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Transcription

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Transcription Enzymes
RNA polymerase: The enzyme that controls
transcription and is characterized by:
Search DNA for initiation site,
It unwinds a short stretch of double helical DNA to
produce a single-stranded DNA template,
It selects the correct ribonucleotide and catalyzes the
formation of a phosphodiester bond,
It detects termination signals where transcript ends.
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Eukaryotic RNA polymerases have different roles in

transcription

Polymerase I

nucleolus

Makes a large precursor

to the major rRNA
(5.8S,18S and 28S rRNA
in vertebrates

Polymerase II

nucleoplasm

Synthesizes hnRNAs,
which are precursors to
mRNAs. It also make most
small nuclear RNAs
(snRNAs

Polymerase III

Nucleoplasm

Makes the precursor to

5SrRNA, the tRNAs and
several other small
cellular

Eukaryotic Promoter
Eukaryotic Promoter lies upstream of the gene.
There are several different types of promoter found
in human genome, with different structure and
different regulatory properties class/I/II/III.
Conserved eukaryotic promoter
elements

Consensus sequence

CAAT box

GGCCAATCT

TATA box

TATAA

GC box

GGGCGG

CAP site

TAC
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Transcription Factors

Transcription factors are proteins that bind to

DNA near the start of transcription of a gene.

Transcription factors either inhibit or assist

RNA polymerase in initiation and maintenance
of transcription.
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Transcription Factors

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Enhancers
Enhancers are stretches of bases within DNA, about 50
to 150 base pairs in length; the activities of many
promoters are greatly increased by enhancers which
can exert their stimulatory actions over distances of
several thousands base pairs.

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Preinitiation Complex

The general transcription factors combine with RNA

polymerase to form a preinitiation complex that is

competent to initiate transcription as soon as nucleotides
are available.

The assembly of the preinitiation complex on each kind

of eukaryotic promoter (class II promoters recognized by

RNA polymerase II) begins with the binding of an
assembly factor to the promoter.
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Source: http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Gene-Expression.aspx

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Initiation

The polymerase binding causes the unwinding of the

DNA double helix which expose at least 12 bases on
the template.

This is followed by initiation of RNA synthesis at this

starting point.

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Initiation

The RNA polymerase starts building the RNA chain;

it assembles ribonucleotides triphosphates: ATP;
GTP; CTP and UTP into a strand of RNA.

After the first nucleotide is in place, the polymerase

joins a second nucleotide to the first, forming the
initial phosphodiester bond in the RNA chain.

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Elongation
RNA polymerase directs the sequential binding of
riboncleotides to the growing RNA chain in the 5' - 3'
direction.

Each ribonucleotide is inserted into the growing RNA strand

following the rules of base pairing. This process is repeated
utill the desired RNA length is
synthesized..

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Termination

Terminators at the end of genes; signal termination.

These work in conjunction with RNA polymerase to
loosen the association between RNA product and DNA
template. The result is that the RNA dissociate from
RNA polymerase and DNA and so stop transcription.

The product is immature RNA or pre mRNA (Primary

transcript).
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 The primary product of RNA transcription; the

hnRNAs contain both intronic and exonic sequences.

These hnRNAs are processed in the nucleus to give

mature mRNAs that are transported to the cytoplasm

where to participate in protein synthesis.
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RNA Processing (Pre-mRNA mRNA)

Capping
Splicing
Addition of poly A tail

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RNA Processing

Capping
The

cap structure is added to the 5' of the newly

transcribed mRNA precursor in the nucleus prior to
processing and subsequent transport of the mRNA
molecule to the cytoplasm.
Splicing:
Step by step removal of pre mRNA and joining of
remaining exons; it takes place on a special structure
called spliceosomes.
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RNA Processing

Addition of poly A tail:

Synthesis

of the poly (A) tail involves cleavage of

its 3' end and then the addition of about 40- 200
adenine residues to form a poly (A) tail.

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Alternative Splicing

Alternative splicing: is a very common phenomenon

in higher eukaryotes. It is a way to get more than one

protein product out of the same gene and a way to
control gene expression in cells.

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Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Class/MLACourse/Modules/MolBioReview/alternative_splicing.html

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The Genetic Code

The sequence of codons in the mRNA defines

the primary structure of the final protein.

Three nucleotides in mRNA (a codon)specify

one amino acid in a protein.

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The Genetic Code

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The Genetic Code

The triplet sequence of mRNA that specify certain

amino acid.
64 different combination of bases; 61 of them code for
20 amino acids (AA); the last three codon
(UAG,UGA,UAA) don not code for amino acids; they
are termination codons.

Degenerate

More than on triplet codon specify the same amino

acid.
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The Genetic Code

Unambiguous
Each

codon specifies a particular amino acid, the

codon ACG codes for the amino acid threonine, and
only threonine.

Non overlapping
This

means that successive triplets are read in order.

Each nucleotide is part of only one triplet codon.
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Translation

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Translation

Translation is the process by which ribosomes read

the genetic message in the mRNA and produce a
protein product according to the message's
instruction.

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Requirement for Translation

Ribosomes
tRNA
mRNA
Amino acids
Initiation factors
Elongation factors
Termination factors
Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase enzymes:
Energy source:
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Ribosomes

Eukaryotic ribosomes are larger. They consist of two

subunits, which come together to form an 80S

particle;
60S subunit holds (three rRNAs 5S, 5.8S, 28S and
about 40 proteins).
40S subunit contains (an18S rRNA and about 30
proteins).

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The large ribosomal subunit contains three tRNA

binding sites, designated A, P, and E.
The A site binds an aminoacyl-tRNA (a tRNA bound
to an amino acid);
P site binds a peptidyl-tRNA (a tRNA bound to the
peptide being synthesized).
The E site binds a free tRNA before it exits the
ribosome.
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Preparatory Steps for Protein Synthesis

First, aminoacyl tRNA synthetase joins amino acid to

their specific tRNA.

Second, ribosomes must dissociate into subunits at

the end of each round of translation.

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The protein synthesis occur in 3 phases

Accurate and efficient initiation occurs; the ribosomes

binds to the mRNA, and the first amino acid attached
to its tRNA.

Chain elongation, the ribosomes adds one amino acid

at a time to the growing polypeptide chain.

Accurate and efficient termination, the ribosomes

releases the mRNA and the polypeptide.

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Initiation

The initiation phase of protein synthesis requires over

10 eukaryotic Initiation Factors (eIFs): Factors are
needed to recognize the cap at the 5'end of an mRNA
and binding to the 40s ribosomal subunit.

Binding the initiator Met-tRNAiMet (methionyltRNA) to the 40S small subunit of the ribosome.

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Initiation

Scanning to find the start codon by binding to the

5'cap of the mRNA and scanning downstream until they
find the first AUG (initiation codon).
The start codon must be located and positioned
correctly in the P site of the ribosome, and the initiator
tRNA must be positioned correctly in the same site.
Once the mRNA and initiator tRNA are correctly
bound, the 60S large subunit binds to form 80s initiation
complex with a release of the eIF factors.
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Elongation

Transfer of proper aminoacyl-tRNA from

cytoplasm to A-site of ribosome;

Peptide bond formation; Peptidyl transferase forms

a peptide bond between the amino acid in the P site, and
the newly arrived aminoacyl tRNA in the A site. This
lengthens the peptide by one amino acids.
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Elongation

Translocation; translocation of the new peptidyl tRNA with its mRNA codon in the A site into the free P
site occurs. Now the A site is free for another cycle of
aminoacyl t-RNA codon recognition and elongation.
Each translocation event moves mRNA, one codon
length through the ribosomes.

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Termination

Translation termination requires specific protein

factors identified as releasing factors, RFs in E. coli and
eRFs in eukaryotes.

The signals for termination are the same in both

prokaryotes and eukaryotes. These signals are
termination codons present in the mRNA. There are 3
termination codons, UAG, UAA and UGA.
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Termination

After multiple cycles of elongation and polymerization

of specific amino acids into protein molecules, a
nonsense codon = termination codon of mRNA appears
in the A site. The is recognized as a terminal signal by
eukaryotic releasing factors (eRF) which cause the
release of the newly synthesized protein from the
ribosomal complex.

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Polysomes

Most mRNA are translated by more than one

ribosome at a time; the result, a structure in which

many ribosomes translate a mRNA in tandem, is
called a polysomes.

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Control of Gene Expression

Transcriptional
Posttranscriptional
Translational
Posttranslational

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Control of Gene Expression

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Control of gene expression depends various factors

including:

Chromosomal activation or deactivation.

Control of initiation of transcription.
Processing of RNA (e.g. splicing).
Control of RNA transport.
Control of mRNA degradation.
Control of initiation of translation (only in
eukaryotes).
Post-translational modifications.
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Gene Expression Analysis

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Quantitative PCR
Microarray
.

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Eukaryotic Gene Expression

Essentially all humans' genes contain introns. A notable

exception is the histone genes which are intronless.
Eukaryote genes are not grouped in operons. Each
eukaryote gene is transcribed separately, with separate
transcriptional controls on each gene.
Eukaryotic mRNA is modified through RNA splicing.
Eukaryotic mRNA is generally monogenic
(monocistronic); code for only one polypeptide.
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Eukaryotic Gene Expression

Eukaryotic mRNA contain no Shine-Dalgarno sequence to
show the ribosomes where to start translating. Instead, most
eukaryotic mRNA have caps at their 5` end which directs
initiation factors to bind and begin searching for an initiation
codon.
Eukaryotes have a separate RNA polymerase for each type of
RNA.
In eukaryotes, polysomes are found in the cytoplasm.
Eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation begins with methionine
not N formyl- methionine.
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Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic

Bacterial genetics are different.

Prokaryote genes are grouped in operons.
Prokaryotes have one type of RNA polymerase for all
types of RNA,
mRNA is not modified
The existence of introns in prokaryotes is extremely
rare.

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Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic

To initiate transcription in bacteria, sigma factors bind to

RNA polymerases. RNA polymerases/ sigma factors

complex can then bind to promoter about 40
deoxyribonucleotide bases prior to the coding region of the
gene.
In prokaryotes, the newly synthesized mRNA is
polycistronic (polygenic) (code for more than one
polypeptide chain).
In prokaryotes, transcription of a gene and translation of
the resulting mRNA occur simultaneously. So many
polysomes are found associated with an active gene .
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Glossary

Alleles are forms of the same gene with small differences in their sequence of DNA bases.
Alternative splicing: is a very common phenomenon in higher eukaryotes. It is a way to get more than one protein product out of
the same gene and a way to control gene expression in cells.
Exon: a segment of a gene that is represented in the mature RNA product. Individual exons may contain coding DNAand/or
noncoding DNA (untranslated sequences).
Bioinformatics I is the application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine
Introns (intervening sequence) (A noncoding DNA sequence ): Intervening stretches of DNA that separate exons.
Primary transcript: The initial production of gene transcription in the nucleus; an RNA containing copies of all exons and introns.
RNA gene or non-coding RNA gene: RNA molecule that is not translated into a protein. Noncoding RNA genes produce
transcripts that exert their function without ever producing proteins. Non-coding RNA genes include transfer RNA (tRNA) and
ribosomal RNA (rRNA), small RNAs such as snoRNAs, microRNAs, siRNAsand piRNAs and lastly long ncRNAs.
Enhancers and silencers: are DNA elements that stimulate or depress the transcription of associated genes; they rely on tissue
specific binding proteins for their activities; sometimes a DNA elements can act either as an enhancer or silencer depending on
what is bound to it.
Activators: Additional gene-specific transcription factors that can bind to enhancer and help in transcription activation.
Open reading frame (ORF): A reading frame that is uninterrupted by translation stop codon (reading frame that contains a start
codon and the subsequent translated region, but no stop codon).
Directionality: in molecular biology, refers to the end-to-end chemical orientation of a single strand of nucleic acid. The chemical
convention of naming carbon atoms in the nucleotide sugar-ring numerically gives rise to a 5' end and a 3' end ( "five prime end"
and "three prime end"). The relative positions of structures along a strand of nucleic acid, including genes, transcription factors,
and polymerases are usually noted as being either upstream (towards the 5' end) or downstream (towards the 3' end).
Reverse Transcription: Some viruses (such as HIV, the cause of AIDS), have the ability to transcribe RNA into DNA.
Pseudogenes. DNA sequences that closely resemble known genes but are nonfunctional.
More:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7584/

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References and Further Reading

Ali Khalifa. Applied molecular biology; eds: ( Fathi Tash and Sanna Eissa). 109 pages. Egypt. University Book
Center. 2002. Available in paper copy from the publisher
Daniel H. Farkas. DNA Simplified: The Hitchhiker's Guide to DNA. 110 pages. Washington, DC: AACC Press,
1996, ISBN 0-915274-84-1. Available in paper copy from the publisher
Daniel P. Stites, Abba T. Terr. Basic Human Immunology: 336 Pages. Appleton & Lange (November 1990). ISBN.
0838505430. Available in paper copy from the publisher
Innis, David H. Gelfand, John J. Sninsky. PCR Applications: Protocols for Functional Genomics: 566 pages.
Academic Press; 1 edition (May 17, 1999). ISBN:0123721865. Available in paper copy from the publisher
Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, and Peter Walter. Molecular Biology
of the cell. 1392 pages.Garland Science; 5 edition (November 16, 2007).ISBN. 9780815341055. Available in
paper copy from the publisher
Robert F. Mueller, Ian D. Young. Emery's Elements of Medical Genetics: Publisher: Churchill Livingstone.
1995 ISBN. 044307125X. Available in paper copy from the publisher.
Robert F. Weaver. Molecular Biology. 600 Pages. Fourth Edition. McGraw-Hill International Edition. ISBN
978-0-07-110216-2. Available in paper copy from the publisher
William B. Coleman, Gregory J. Tsongalis. Molecular Diagnostics. For the Clinical Laboratorian: 592
pages.Humana Press; 4th Printing. edition (August 15, 2005). ISBN 1588293564... Available in paper copy from
the publisher.
Eukaryotic promoter . Internet. Available from;http://www.patentlens.net/daisy/promoters/242/g1/250/1346.html
Transcription factor. Available from. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Transcription factor . Internet. Table. Avalable from;
http://oregonstate.edu/instruction/bb492/lectures/EuTranscriptionI.htm

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Image Citation

Structure of a typical eukaryotic gene.

http://biocadmin.otago.ac.nz/fmi/xsl/bioc2/learnbitslecture.xsl?db=BIOC2web.fp7&-lay=Lectures&-recid=4546&-find=LadyofHats.
Ribosome mRNA translation.29 September 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ribosome_mRNA_translation_en.svg
Forluvoft. Simple transcription elongation. 9 October 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Simple_transcription_elongation1.svg
TransControl. RNA-codons. 22 May
2007http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:RNA-codons.png

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